MARSEIILE, France — Veteran scrum half Phil Mack will lead out Canada against Kenya on Sunday in the opening game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup repechage tournament.

Coach Kingsley Jones has selected a starting 15 that features 11 players with World Cup experience. Four more on the bench have also played in the World Cup.

The Canadian men warmed up for the last-chance qualifier with a pair of wins over English club sides.

“We have had an good 12 days on the ground in Europe, including our fixtures against Oxford (University) and Coventry, with a wider group of players, which has allowed us to continue to grow depth and momentum leading into this weekend’s game against Kenya,” Jones said in a statement.

“We have been able to have competition for a number of positions which is vital,” he added. “With three games in 18 days depth in each position could prove to be critical.”

Canada is currently ranked 23rd in the world, compared to No. 28 for Kenya. Also bidding for the 20th and last berth in the 2019 Rugby World Cup are No. 21 Hong Kong and No. 29 Germany, who also meet Sunday.

Canada dropped into the repechage after losing qualifying series against the 15th-ranked U.S. Eagles and No. 18 Uruguay. Kenya qualified for the repechage by finishing second at the 2018 Rugby Africa Gold Cup.

Canada has participated in all eight previous Rugby World Cups, all at the first qualifying attempt.

Canada and Kenya have never met on the rugby field before.

“We’re expecting a big, strong and confident Kenyan side, Kenya are a team that have the ability to score from any situation,” said Jones, a former Wales captain. “If you switch off mentally they are the sort of side that can score 21 points in five minutes.